SWALEC Championship big kick-off

Ebbw Vale could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu when the new SWALEC Championship kicks-off on Saturday - but that will be rapidly replaced by a step into the unknown a week later.

East and west will collide when six clubs from last season's SWALEC One East and seven from SWALEC One West, along with Pontypool, form the exciting new division with last season's respective east and west champions, Ebbw Vale and Tata Steel, bidding to claim the inaugural title.

And Ebbw Vale will be in familiar territory when they travel to the Memorial Ground to take on Glamorgan Wanderers in Round 1 before they open their home programme by hosting Narberth at Eugene Cross Park in Round 2.

"It will be a massive challenge for us as we really do not know what to expect from around half the clubs who we have never played before," said Ebbw Vale captain and lock Ashley Sweet.

"We know what to expect from the east sides but the west is something of an unknown quantity. We have never met clubs like Tata Steel and Whitland and we are really looking forward to those new experiences.

"However, on Saturday it will be a case of 'same again' as last season we started out at Glamorgan Wanderers and that is where we start this season.

"There is a fair bit of rivalry between us since they beat us in the Principality Premiership play-off match in 2011 so it should be a great opening match for us at the start of a new tournament.

"And, with clubs from the east and west now playing in one division, that should make it even more exciting as we will be playing against new players and new teams at new venues.

"We have got a very young squad, which should be positive for Ebbw Vale in the coming years, and coaches Neil Edwards and Jason Strange have recruited well while putting us through a hard pre-season.

"We pride ourselves on our fitness and we like to play a high tempo, fast flowing game so we hope we can continue in that way."

Tata Steel were the champions of the west last season and captain Gareth Edwards believes it will take something even more special to be crowned the champions of the new 14-club division.

"Of course it would be great to go all the way but we appreciate it is going to be a really tough challenge against quality sides," said the prop forward.

"It will definitely be a lot harder than last season - especially up front - but we feel we have recruited well and are stronger all round.

"We have had a great pre-season and the boys have trained well but we all know how important it is to get off to a good start and travelling to Narberth will be tough.

"We pipped Narberth by a point for the title last season and, on a personal front, I have played there eight times and never won so I know just how hard it is to play there."

WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said: "The creation of a new National Championship offers an exciting, highly competitive, new level of rugby for both players and supporters to enjoy.

"This new league will form the top level of the community game in Wales and we are all looking forward to working even harder to ensure a strong future for this and all levels of rugby in Wales."

Huw Lock, SWALEC Sponsorship Manager, said: "We are delighted to welcome the new SWALEC Championship into the National League structure. As National Community Partner of the WRU, we are proud to support grassroots rugby across Wales through our sponsorship of the National Leagues and Cup competitions. We hope the formation of the Championship division will improve the standards of grassroots rugby in Wales and support the WRU in nurturing and developing the stars of tomorrow.

"As one of Wales' top rugby supporters, we at SWALEC look forward to our fifth year of sponsorship with the WRU and wish all players, officials and supporters the best of luck for a fully-charged rugby season."

WRU International Skills Coach Jason Strange is a busy man, combining the new role with that of Wales Under 20 attack coach, Ebbw Vale head coach and continuing to teach at Ebbw Fawr Learning Community.

Warren Gatland and Sam Warburton look ahead to this week's crunch RBS 6 Nations tie against France, where the Wales skipper in particular is keen to make his mark, as Paris has proved a bleak place for him in the past.

Following their historic win over England, Wales Under 20 suffered a narrow, 36-34 loss to their Scottish counterparts last weekend, despite outscoring them by five tries to three. Watch the match highlights and reaction.

WRU TV go behind the scenes with the Wales squad as they put the final touches in place ahead of the clash against Scotland at Murrayfield. Follow the squad on their captain's run, the kickers visit to Murrayfield and Neil Jenkins' press conference